Do not rent or buy this film. When I rented this film, I thought that this will be a well made film about California social problems, instead it is sparsely puzzle of unintelligent and unrounded characters molded into some melodrama about our problems here in America. Like we don't already know that. Instead of filming a fine piece of film work, the young director focused his attention on irrelevant stats about incarceration rates and middle eastern Persians and Muslims. It's his own opinions on the matter and they offer no perspective on American urban life. What we don't need is some Canadian director making a film on it. As an African-American-I felt the director was trying to preach to me on what it means to be black, like he or any other white American would really know. That's like telling white people what it is to be white. The film is an insult to any intellectual viewer who likes independent films. We don't go to that scummy overpriced and overtaxed nation in Canada. Perhaps Canadians should stick to what they know best, hockey.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Fat Albert
(2004)
Should have stayed with the 1970's format!
21 December 2004
This is a typical Hollywood made American made piece of crap. The famous cartoon from 1972-1984 had the right formula to amuse kids. This film has a bunch of hip-hop crap, and the worst is that its not animated anymore. The acting is decent. I just wonder how Bill Cosby material has sunk this far. So to those of you whom have kids, buy the original animated series from Time/Life Books and videos. This film would have much more wider appeal had it been down with a 70's style music score without all of the 21st century effects. The scenes in the school are preety funny, the script is shallow and unworthy of a Bill Cosby stamp of approval. There are a few funny scenes. But unfortunately the 2004 setting is very lame and flat compared to the original 70's format.
Not impressive at all
17 August 2002
Well I've seen much better doc's on Dr. King. Well for starters, the video is transferred via LP speed, so the quality is diminshed, even though the video is only 1 hour. How can sum up Dr. King's life in an hour? Anyhow, don't purchase this video. Is seems that many of these so called doc's on Dr. King seem to erase his last 3 years on Earth. At that time-Dr. King's focus shifted from civil rights to more equal rights in 1966. Overtly concerned about the escalatting war in SE Asia, worried about crtiticism from young people, disturbed by the growing gap betwen rich/poor. His last years in his journey grew increasingly aggresive. Such as his campaign for open housing(de fact segregation) in Chicago-1966. Operation Breadbasket in 1966. Dr. King was accused of being a "communist sympathizer" from the FBI. That of course was never proven and simply was a plan to neutralize him as an effective leader. Truth is King was the "only" man that he could not control, and that embattled Hoover. King was way too powerful. As a young whit kid growing in those turbulent times, I sill vivdly remember his images and powerful eloquent voice in old black/white footage almost every night. King was always on TV. Kings voice could could suck you in. One thing is for sure, when I was watching tv that fateful evening on 4 Apr 1968 and watching the breakthru of his shooting then announcement of his untimely death. My parents, like most white parents in that age, were frightened by King and his insurgent views. But watching and listening to his last speech given in Memphis, he kew that the good lord was going to bring him home.
A Bridge Too Far
(1977)
A great film!
15 August 2002
well I thought this film was excellent with an excellent cast. As an American though, I do suggest that the negative bias towards our British allies in the film was quite disdainful. They were not that inept in their conduct in the war. The film had great historical rhetoric, unlike 'saving Private Ryan'. The battle scenes are very well orchestrated. They don't rival 'Ryan', although the last battle scene at the bridge in 'Ryan' was far to "set-up", this film is a great one. I highly recommend it. But it's an MGM release, so the DVD version is not cleaned up as well and the soundtrack only features Dolby Surround.
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